Local News - The Morning Sun

The USD 250 Board of Education Office in Pittsburg. District officials are struggling to rework the budget in light of a recent decision by the U.S. Department of Education to withhold more than one-half million dollars in federal Title funds.

Local schools brace for loss of federal funds

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that it is withholding $6 billion in federal grants for afterschool and summer programs, English language instruction, adult literacy and more. Local schools are trying to figure out how they're going to cope with the loss. more

7/11/25

Mike Carson of the Janell Smith Carson Foundation, Special Olympics Kansas Senior Director of Development Erin Fletcher, and athlete/coach Cody Pierce were all smiles Friday afternoon as the local foundation presented a $1,500 check to Special Olympics Kansas for its State Powerlifting and Flag Football competition held July 18 through July 19.

Local foundation presents check to SOKS

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Special Olympics Kansas (SOKS) received a donation Friday afternoon that will help with its efforts in the upcoming State Powerlifting and Flag Football competition held July … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 7/11/25

A four-man group of golfers tee off on hole 10, a par-4, at Crestwood Country Club as part of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Chamber Foundation Golf Classic, held Friday.

Chamber Foundation Golf Classic returns

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual “Chamber Foundation Golf Classic” on Friday at Crestwood Country Club as golfers enjoyed a warm, clear day … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 7/11/25

Jenna Spencer stands in front of her recently refurbished mural on the south wall of the Frisco Event Center, located at 210 E. 4th Street. Spencer originally painted the scene in 2019.

Muralist paints for community enjoyment

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Although many people see her work every day, most don’t know the artist behind the paint. Pittsburg native Jenna Spencer is currently working on her 16th mural in the downtown area. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 7/11/25

Customer Service Associate Tia Turner, right, prepares to give Jessica Stinebaugh, of Girard, her receipt during the grand opening of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, 2804 N. Broadway Street in Pittsburg. Ollie’s is a discount store with items such as food, bedding, toys, housewares and more.

Ollie's is open

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7/9/25

Making its way all the way to the ceiling of the Lakeside Auditorium, a man-made geyser awes students during Thursday’s Yellowstone simulation.

Lakeside Elementary holds Yellowstone simulation

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — First grade students at Lakeside Elementary got a taste of Yellowstone National Park’s geological wonders, diverse wildlife, and historical significance through Thursday … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 5/15/25

PHS Junior Norlan Aguilar, left, accepts the award for Outstanding Leading Performer at the Jester Awards. The last PHS student to receive this award was McKenna Shaw in 2020.

Sense of belonging inspires performer

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — The loving and caring environment he has found in theater, has inspired one young performer to be the absolute best he can be. It’s paying off. Recently, at the Kansas Jester Awards, Pittsburg High School Junior Norlan Aguilar was named Outstanding Leading Performer and he received a $1,000 scholarship for his role of Jean Valjean in the school’s production of “Les Misérables: School Edition.” more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 5/9/25

The Community National Bank Bulls break the huddle before the start of their game on Saturday.

A new season of swinging for the fences

PITTSBURG, Kan. — For little league players, summer evenings and weekends are filled with sounds of baseballs cracking against bats and cheers from coaches, teammates and parents. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 5/5/25

Girard Chamber of Commerce members and The Long Branch Office Suites Owners Troy and Lisa Blair and their daughter, Brooke Mahnken cut the ribbon on their new business. The space has eight rentable office suites and one conference room.

Family creates office suites for remote workers

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GIRARD, Kan. — The Long Branch Office Suites, located at 130 E. Forest Ave., Girard, is offering a space for remote workers outside of their homes. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 4/28/25

PD probes downtown death

Pittsburg Police, Fire Department and Crawford County EMS recovered a body Wednesday morning inside the locked fence surrounding a cell tower at 107 E. 1st Street. more

Staff Reports / [email protected] | 4/16/25

Wednesday morning’s storms were an introduction to spring weather in Kansas. According to Crawford County Emergency Manager Quinton Parsons, much of the damage in Crawford County was limited to powerlines and fallen trees, although some structures did suffer more significant damage, such as a garage in the northeastern corner of the county.

A stormy morning in the Balkans

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. –– It was an early day for newly appointed Crawford County Emergency Manager Quinton Parsons as severe storms blew through the area Wednesday morning, spawning a … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 4/2/25

Dr. Marvin Clothier passes his practice to Dr. Krishna Gorantla. Clothier served the Pittsburg community and beyond for more than 52 years.

Local dentist retires, passes torch to new doctor

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PITTSBURG, KS – After 52 years of providing dentistry in Pittsburg, Dr. Marvin Clothier of Smile Solutions has retired and transferred his practice to Dr. Krishna Gorantla. more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 2/24/25

PHS students Dominik Bach, left, and Noah Niederklein have yet to begin their college careers, but already are working to change education.

Meeting of the minds

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Individually, people can do great things. But put two exceptional minds together and the result can be amazing. That’s the case with two Pittsburg High School friends who have been collaborating on a project that would use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve education. more

By Ron Womble/[email protected] | 6/13/24

Carl Brenner, chief of interpretation and resource management at the Fort Scott National Historic Site as well as the acting superintendent, gave the opening remarks during Thursday’s Special Naturalization Ceremony.

Fort Scott National Historic Site hosts annual naturalization ceremony

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FORT SCOTT, Kan. — Nearly one hundred people raised their right hands and took the oath to become U.S. citizens during the annual Special Naturalization Ceremony at Fort Scott National Historic … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 9/15/23

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover) speaks with SEK residents on Thursday at the Homer Cole Senior Community Center in Pittsburg. Senator Masterson spoke on a variety of issues in a Q-and-A session, including taxes, the Kansas Corporate Commission’s new powerline, and the difficulties in campaigning in today’s political environment.

Senate leadership visits Pittsburg

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover) spoke with SEK residents on Thursday at the Homer Cole Senior Community Center. The purpose of his visit was to gain support … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 9/15/23

Pittsburg Multigenerational Choir director and Pittsburg High School vocal music teacher Susan Laushman prepares choristers for its upcoming concert, which will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Pittsburg’s Memorial Auditorium.

Pittsburg Multi-Gen Choir prepares for concert

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — With a concert slated for late October, choir members of the Pittsburg Multigenerational Chorus have been practicing at Pittsburg High School every Wednesday and Friday since … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected] | 9/14/23

Approximately 30 teams from across the southeast Kansas region gathered at the Red Iron Activity Center in Columbus on Wednesday for the inaugural Southeast Regional Senior Unified Olympics where athletes competed in several events from speed walking to cornhole.

SOKS hosts first-ever Senior Unified Olympics

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COLUMBUS, Kan. — A first-of-its-kind Special Olympics Kansas (SOKS) event made its debut this week in Columbus. The 'Southeast Regional Senior Unified Olympics' was held Wednesday … more

By Aaron Pyle / [email protected]\ | 9/14/23

The Finishing Touch recently put the final touches on its new façade.

The Finishing Touch gets fresh look

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PITTSBURG, Kan. After debating a remodel for decades, The Finishing Touch building finally got a long-awaited facelift. The Finishing Touch Manager Beth Bradshaw, daughter to owners … more

By Antjea Wolff / [email protected] | 9/13/23

Area residents and their animals march in the 2019 Weir Homecoming parade.

Small town celebrates big

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WEIR, Kan. — The City of Weir was founded in 1872 by T.M. Weir of Pennsylvania, who set aside 40 of his 160 acres to build a town. During the city’s boom, nearly 3,000 residents enjoyed … more

By Dustin R. Strong / [email protected] | 9/13/23

An American flag hangs from atop the City of Pittsburg Fire Station No. 1, located at 911 W. Fourth St. The local fire department displayed the flag to honor the memory of nearly 3,000 lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, as Monday marked 22 years since the terrorist attacks.

‘We remember’

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An American flag hangs from atop the City of Pittsburg Fire Station No. 1, located at 911 W. Fourth St. The local fire department displayed the flag to honor the memory of nearly 3,000 lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, as Monday marked 22 years since the terrorist attacks. more

9/12/23